Effect of Ellagic Acid and Cryptotanshinone on Cell Viability/Cytotoxicity, Metastasis, and Oxidative Stress in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract

Objective: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has the highest rate of metastases and relapses as well as the worst overall survival of all breast cancers. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of ellagic acid and cryptotanshinone, which are known to have antioxidant, antimutagenic, anticancer, and apoptotic effects, on cell viability/cytotoxicity, metastasis, and oxidative stress in MDA-MB-231 cells. Materials and Methods: The effects of various concentrations of ellagic acid and cryptotanshinone on cell viability or cytotoxicity in TNBC cells were determined by WST-1. A scratch assay was performed to determine the effects of ellagic acid and cryptotanshinone on cell migration and metastasis, and a DCF-DA test was performed to determine the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Results: MDA-MB-231 cells exposed to cryptotanshinone exhibited reduced cell proliferation by approximately 50%, particularly at 20 μg/mL after 48 h. The cell viability decreased by 75% at 20 μg/mL after 72 h of cryptotanshinone exposure. After 48 h of exposure to ellagic acid at 40 μg/mL, the scratch in the MDA-MB-231 cells closed. In addition, treatment with cryptotanshinone at 25 μg/mL covered the scratch after 72 h. Ellagic acid (40 μg/mL) induced oxidative stress at 24 h, and cryptotanshinone (25 μg/mL) at 48 and 72 h. Furthermore, the fluorescence intensity of MDA-MB-231 cells was increased by exposure to ellagic acid (40 μg/mL) and cryptotanshinone (25 μg/mL) after 24 h compared to the negative control. Conclusion: Ellagic acid and cryptotanshinone may inhibit cell proliferation, suppress cell migration, and induce the accumulation of intracellular ROS in MDA-MB-231 cells.

Keywords

• Triple-negative breast cancer
• MDA-MB-231
• cell culture
• ellagic acid
• cryptotanshinone

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